Monetizing Your Mobile Web App via Amazon

August 14th, 2013

Amazon recently announced that they will be allowing companies to register their mobile websites and web apps for distribution on the Kindle Fire and select Android devices via the Amazon store. This announcement opens up an interesting opportunity to organizations that have pre-existing mobile web applications and have been exploring ways to tap the Android market. The site suggests that if the content and functionality contained in your web app is currently free via the internet, that the app should be free in the store as well, but that if there is paid content available, you can leverage an in-app purchase to accept payment.

At Accella, we have always been big proponents of native application development vs wrapper technology, such as PhoneGap or Cordova, for deployment to the various app stores. Native development via Objective-C (iOS) and Java (Android) allows for a better user experience (faster) and a better use of native controls, simplifying and speeding both development and debugging. That being said, as long as the user knows what they are getting (a web app vs a native app), the prospect of leveraging web technologies becomes more appealing in certain situations.

If you’re curious whether it makes sense to push your mobile web app or site to the Amazon store, give us a call and we can help you evaluate what makes the most sense.

Jason King

Jason is President & CEO of Accella. Even as the company grows, his focus remains on serving the client. As a business owner, he is keenly aware of the need to make every dollar count, especially when it comes to technology budgets. Jason makes it a point to become familiar with the business process and goals of each of Accella's clients so that he can make sure projects stay on track and on budget.
Jason earned a BS degree in Computer Science from the University of Maryland. Before founding Accella, he spent time working for Northrop Grumman before striking out on his own as an independent IT consultant.